Nurse acupuncturist needs assistance

I have been a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist since 2002. A few years ago, I decided to attend nursing school. Due to financial reasons, I attended a ADN program, and have since graduated and have had my RN license since 2009.

Without going into my history of job searching, I will just say that I tried EVERYTHING, but was not able to get a nursing position, even with a 3.8 GPA, stellar references, and both ACLS and BLS certifications. I have spoken with several seasoned nurses here in the San Francisco Bay Area who believe I have just suffered from bad luck. I do not have the resources to attend any more education at this time.

Is anyone aware of any avenues potentially open for someone with my unique background that I may not be aware of? I really wanted to work in the nursing field and believe I have a lot to offer nursing and the patients. I am a mature, intelligent and compassionate person who just wants to help others. I have never before had an issue getting a job. I received good feedback about my interviews, had my resume reviewed and am now at a loss regarding my current options. I have applied for transition to practice programs, and no longer qualify as a new graduate because of my graduation date. I completed a skills review course in 2011.

You sound like you have a lot to offer. Have you thought of independent consulting? When I worked for an ortho trauma clinic, many of our patients employed independent nurse case managers. You just have to be willing to network and market and put yourself out there. Low overhead (basically just business cards), and social media provides effective free marketing these days. Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of wellness. I recently saw an ad for a local hospital system looking to hire a Director of Complementary Therapies...the requirement was an RN with experience and/or training in holistic/alternative treatments. Call around, put yourself out there, offer your skills for workshops for organizations. Even if you don't have experience as a nurse, I am assuming you have experience with your acupuncture and massage therapy. Corporations are moving more toward providing these services for their employees. The opportunity is there! I hope to follow a similar path offering alternative modalities and independence nurse coaching. Roll with it and create your own opportunity to practice nursing your way! Good luck to you!
By the way, you may be eligible for your Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse Certification because you have a year of holistic modality practice. Check here: http://www.ahncc.org/home.html

Oct 3, '12

Job searching in the Bay Area is terribly difficult, especially for ADN new grads. There is huge competition for those high wages and it's coming not just locally but nationally and internationally as well.

Maybe contact the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF or the Institute for Health and Healing at CPMC and see if you can network somewhere that your acupuncture license would give you an edge.

Volunteering is also an option to get access to people on the floors and to network like there's no tomorrow.

Are you able to relocate? A lot of new grads (myself included) have done this to land that first job and get the experience needed to (hopefully) return.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Oct 9, '12

When originally applying for jobs I put in applications in 10 different states and did try to relocate, but was unsuccessful.

I have also volunteered, but cannot anymore because I have to work to pay bills and student loans.